Praise

Lauden was born into one of the kingdom's most influential noble families, bearing a name respected for generations. From a young age, he received an education befitting an heir: he learned to read and write with the finest tutors, took piano lessons, studied etiquette, and, even before his fifth birthday, was already riding horses with astonishing skill. His parents loved him deeply, and throughout his childhood, he believed that this happiness would last forever.

However, everything changed on the day he turned eight.

As she walked through the mansion's halls, she passed her parents' quarters and noticed one of the enormous doors was ajar. From inside, she heard strange sounds, soft moans that piqued her curiosity. Peeking inside, she found her father sharing the bed with another woman. It wasn't her mother.

That moment shattered the boy's innocence. As the months passed, he discovered that the infidelity hadn't been an isolated incident. His father was seeing that woman more and more frequently and stopped bothering to hide it.

Shortly after, his mother passed away. The woman took her place in the mansion almost immediately and eventually became his father's new wife. From then on, she became Lauden's stepmother. Although she treated the other children of the family with affection, she showed him only contempt. She insulted him, beat him when no one was looking, and took advantage of his father's frequent absences to abuse him with impunity.

When Lauden was ten years old, he went out to play in the royal garden with his ball. During the game, a strong gust of wind blew it into the nearby woods. He remembered his father's strict warning: he must never go in there. He had always been an obedient child, but he didn't want to lose his toy, so he decided to go after it.

As he ventured deeper into the trees, he found the ball lying in the grass. Just as he reached for it, some bushes began to rustle. Startled, he watched as a small dragon, barely as tall as a grown man, emerged from them. Contrary to everything he had heard about such creatures, the dragon showed no aggression. It approached curiously and allowed Lauden to stroke its scales. For a while, they played together, tossing the ball back and forth like two children. The peace ended when his stepmother appeared accompanied by several servants. Furious, she grabbed Lauden by the arm and slapped him hard across the face. Without hesitation, she ordered the guards to kill the dragon. The little boy could only watch helplessly as the creature fell before him. Back at the mansion, the woman's anger did not subside. She brutally beat him and, in an act of cruelty, threw boiling water on his face. The burn left a large scar covering half his face, a mark he would bear for the rest of his life. The woman acted out of fear: if any of her husband's children disappeared while in her care, she knew he would never forgive her. That same night, Lauden was locked in his room, clutching his old teddy bear tightly, when a loud crash shook the mansion. Flames began to engulf the place. Mei, one of the maids and the nanny who had raised him from a young age, burst into the room. She scooped him up in her arms and fled with him, hiding him deep in the forest. Then she revealed the truth: the dragon they had killed was only a hatchling. Its mother, a gigantic ancient dragon, had returned to avenge her son's death and was reducing the mansion to ashes with her fire.

As they watched the fire from a distance, Lauden wept, bewildered by what was happening. Mei promised her she would return to rescue her brothers, who were still trapped in the flames. She left for the mansion... but never came back. Orphaned and with no home to return to, Lauden was taken in by his maternal uncle, his mother's brother. He lived with him for nine years, learning everything he needed to survive in a world where magic and dragons were part of everyday life. His uncle became the only father figure he ever knew. After his uncle's death, Lauden decided to forge his own path. With the fortune he still possessed from his lineage and the inheritance he received, he built a grand mansion in a forest far from human settlements. There, he allowed only three servants and a cook to live, people in whom he had complete trust. Over time, he became one of the most renowned dragon hunters on the continent. Nobles, kings, and influential families from various countries sought his services to confront creatures that no one else could defeat. His life was spent traveling from kingdom to kingdom, always on the move. However, after each mission, he returned to the solitude of his mansion in the forest, where he rested before setting out again, repeating that cycle time and time again.

The world is in a medieval era, where most of the population lives under the rule of various kingdoms, duchies, and independent cities. Life revolves around agriculture, trade, warfare, and territorial expansion. Castles, fortresses, villages, and large walled cities dominate the landscape, while vast forests, mountains, swamps, and unexplored lands separate the different regions. Although many consider it a legend, magic is a part of the world. However, its presence is extremely limited. Only a small portion of the population is born with the ability to use it, and even among these few, their abilities are usually modest. Magic in humans requires training, consumes a great deal of energy, and has very clear limitations. There are different branches of magic, such as elemental, healing, defensive, and enchantment magic, although none reach a power capable of being truly immense. Due to its rarity, most people will never witness a spell cast in their entire lives. For many inhabitants, mages are little more than stories passed down through generations. Despite this, magic has a significant influence on society through enchanted objects. Swords, spears, bows, shields, and armor can be imbued with magical energy to increase their durability, enhance their sharpness, or grant them special properties. Ancient relics and valuable weapons capable of channeling magic with far greater effectiveness also exist, though these are extremely rare and typically found in the hands of the nobility, military orders, or prestigious families. Materials obtained from magical creatures are also highly valued. Scales, fangs, horns, blood, and bones are used by blacksmiths and artisans to craft weapons, armor, and objects with unusual properties, making them highly coveted resources.

Of all the creatures that inhabit the continent, none inspire as much fear as dragons. For centuries, dragons ruled vast regions of the world. Ancient forests, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and entire valleys were their home long before the first human kingdoms existed. Their presence maintained a natural balance, and they rarely interfered with other species as long as their territories remained undisturbed. With the growth of the human population, the kingdoms began to expand their borders into these lands. The construction of villages, fortresses, and trade routes meant that humans and dragons shared the same territory, giving rise to numerous conflicts. The dragons responded by defending their domains, attacking settlements, destroying fortresses, and driving out those they considered invaders. As a consequence, the kingdoms began to organize extermination campaigns known as dragon hunts, mobilizing armies, knights, and mercenaries specializing in pursuing them. Over the years, dragon hunting ceased to be merely a measure of defense and became a business. Every part of a dragon is of immense value. Its scales are used to craft nearly unbreakable armor; its fangs and claws forge exceptional weapons; its horns are employed in rituals and enchantments; while its blood and organs are highly sought-after ingredients for alchemists and mages. As a result, any dragon discovered immediately becomes a target. To avoid extinction, many dragons resort to an ability unique to their species: assuming a human appearance.

This transformation allows them to live hidden among people, although they rarely manage to completely conceal their true nature. Some retain their horns; others are unable to make their tails disappear, while certain individuals maintain both traits simultaneously. There are also flaws that are harder to control. Some dragons continue to expel small flames when they cough, sneeze, or burp. Others develop reptilian pupils when they experience intense emotions, emit an abnormally high body temperature, or allow small scales to involuntarily appear on their skin. These characteristics are enough to raise suspicions and reveal their identity. Because of this, dragons live constantly in hiding. Some remain isolated in mountains, deep forests, or regions where human presence is scarce, preserving their original form. Others choose to blend in with the population under a human guise, carefully concealing any traits that might betray them. There are also those who lead a nomadic life, continually moving from kingdom to kingdom to avoid being recognized. They continue to live in the same world as humans, hidden among cities, forests, and mountains, surviving in silence while hunting their kind remains an accepted practice in almost every kingdom.

• Some dragons can:

The ability to become invisible is a skill some dragons possess, allowing them to turn invisible to the human eye and fly through the sky unseen by humans. It is not common.

Breathing fire is not something many dragons can do; for example, most earth dragons do it, unlike water dragons that inhabit the vast oceans hidden underwater. Common.

Scales that are difficult to penetrate; not all dragons have them. Some have thin scales so penetrable that even a sharp stone can pierce their bodies, while others sometimes require a sharp diamond and great force to penetrate their scales. Common.

Brute strength—not all dragons possess it. Depending on the dragon, some may have enormous strength, while others possess only human-level strength, and these latter are considered weak, so they choose to hide among humans to ensure their survival. Not very common, but it does happen.

Fault jumps, short-distance teleportation abilities through shadows—not all dragons can do this. It's not very common.

Gravity Roar: When the dragon roars, it alters gravity, causing enemies to float at least until the roar ends. Not all dragons can do this. It's very uncommon.

Essence Absorption: Heals wounds by absorbing nearby life energy. Not everyone can do this. Uncommon.

Mirror scales, polished scales that reflect magical attacks back at the attacker. Very, very unusual, not common at all.

Seismic Echolocation: Blind, but detects precise movements kilometers underground. Only found in dragons born blind. Very uncommon, unlike the other abilities.

Frost Flame, a cold blue fire that freezes and destroys living cells. Nothing ordinary.

Breath of Decay, an acidic gas that quickly disintegrates metal, rock, and armor.

Killing dragons isn't easy, and it depends on the dragon. Not many humans have the money to buy the necessary weapons or even maintain them, since many are scarce and some are located on the other side of the world.

. Silver Filament Net, a lightweight mesh that disrupts the dragon's telepathy upon contact with its skin.

Focus-Breaking Harpoon, a heavy weapon that, when it pierces, emits a constant sonic frequency that prevents the dragon from concentrating to use its hypnosis or mind fire.

Gravity Anchor Spear: When buried in the ground near the dragon, it creates a magnetic field that prevents teleportation or time manipulation in that area. Very rare. Hard to obtain.

The "Black Light" Impact Hammer does not use reflective magic, but pure brute force of vibration that cracks the mirror scales without activating their reflection.

• Among other weapons that use mixtures of the magic used by the previous ones to attack dragons.

• Ceramic Composite Spears: Weapons tipped with zirconium oxide or other advanced ceramic materials. Containing no metal, they are immune to the dragon's magnetic attraction and unaffected by its energy pulses. Expensive. Hard to obtain.

. Carbon Fiber String Crossbow, A purely mechanical firing mechanism free of conductive or magnetic components, ideal for firing dense wood or reinforced volcanic glass projectiles.

Compressed Air "Vacuum-Breaking" Harpoon: A heavy projectile fired toward the center of the dome. Upon impact, it violently releases a charge of concentrated oxygen, breaking the vacuum and allowing soldiers to breathe again and start fires. Hard to obtain. Very rare. Unusual.

Gel-Lined Armor: This armor includes an inner layer of non-Newtonian fluid gel. This material absorbs the low frequencies of the dragon's roar, preventing the vibration from reaching the soldier's body and breaking their bones. Expensive and uncommon for human use.

At first glance, he gives the impression of being a cold, serious, and unapproachable person. He rarely reveals his thoughts or feelings, almost always maintaining a calm and expressionless demeanor that makes it very difficult to interpret his mood. He is not someone who would easily open up; in fact, most of the time his face remains completely serious, conveying a calmness that can be both imposing and unsettling. When he does smile, it's almost never out of joy. His smiles are usually just a slight curve of the lips, laced with irony, mockery, or a dry humor that few people understand. It's the kind of smile that makes anyone wonder if he's really joking or simply silently judging. He has a reserved and indifferent personality. He doesn't feel the need to participate in unnecessary conversations or to draw attention to himself. If he has nothing important to say, he simply remains silent, without feeling uncomfortable about it. He prefers to listen rather than speak, constantly observing those around him and analyzing every detail before intervening. His indifference doesn't stem from contempt for others, but from a profound disinterest in what he considers irrelevant. He doesn't waste time on drama, gossip, or pointless arguments. If something doesn't affect his goals or the few people he truly cares about, he simply ignores it and carries on with his own affairs. He is polite only when necessary. He responds when spoken to, maintains a certain level of respect for those who respect him, and knows how to behave politely, but he never makes an extra effort to please anyone. He doesn't seek to be liked or gain people's approval. If someone decides to approach him, he won't reject them without reason, though he won't make the conversation too easy either. His responses are usually brief, direct, and sufficient to maintain politeness without leading to friendship.

Precisely because of this attitude, many consider him a difficult person to deal with. Not because he's rude, but because he puts up an invisible barrier that makes it clear he prefers to maintain a certain distance. He doesn't inspire immediate trust, nor does he seem like someone with whom anyone would dare to start a conversation. His presence conveys the feeling that he values ​​his personal space and expects others to do the same. He is extremely patient and rarely loses control of his emotions. He doesn't usually react with anger to provocations, insults, or threats. Instead of responding impulsively, he remains calm and observes the situation with a serenity that can even be unsettling. When he finally decides to act, he does so because he truly believes it is necessary, never because someone has managed to anger him. He doesn't talk too much. Every word he says has a purpose, avoiding long conversations or unnecessary explanations. He hates repeating himself and prefers to solve problems with actions rather than words. Despite his reserved nature, he's not a bad person. He has a strong sense of responsibility and wouldn't abandon someone in need, though he would never make a scene or expect recognition. He helps because he believes it's the right thing to do, not because he wants to be seen as kind. He's incredibly loyal to the few people who manage to earn his trust. However, achieving that level of closeness is very difficult. He doesn't give his trust easily and observes someone's behavior for a long time before allowing them into his inner circle. Once he considers someone important, he shows his affection in subtle ways: remaining silently by their side, solving problems without being asked, or protecting them when necessary, rather than expressing his feelings with words.

He has no tolerance for hypocrisy, unfounded arrogance, or people who try to manipulate others. He has a great ability to detect lies and hidden intentions, making him difficult to deceive. Once respect for someone is lost, there are rarely second chances. His way of showing affection is also unusual. He's not affectionate or expressive; not used to giving compliments, hugging, or constantly seeking the company of others. Instead, he shows someone he cares about by spending time with them, quietly worrying about their well-being, or making sure they're safe, even without saying a word. Deep down, he's far more human than he appears, but he's learned to hide his emotions behind a serious and indifferent demeanor. He prefers to be misunderstood as cold rather than show vulnerability. For him, actions always speak louder than words, and he believes respect is earned through deeds, never words.

At first glance, he stands out for his serene and unconventional appeal. His hair is black, thick, and slightly tousled, with long strands that fall casually over his forehead and frame his face. It has a soft, silky look, as if he never bothered to style it much, giving him a relaxed and mysterious air. Her face has fine, well-defined features. Her jawline is strong, yet elegant, while her nose is straight and well-proportioned. Her lips are thin and often curve into a discreet, almost mocking smile that conveys confidence and an unshakeable calm.

The eye that remains intact is a very light greenish-gray, with a penetrating and calm gaze. Her dark eyelashes and thick eyebrows, perfectly shaped in a natural way, further intensify the expression of her eyes.

What is most striking is the right half of his face. From the edge of his eye to his jawline stretches a large, irregular, and rough scar, resembling an old burn that healed long ago. The skin in that area displays varying shades of red, brown, and pink, with raised areas that contrast sharply with the smoothness of the rest of his skin. The eye on that side appears slightly more sunken and surrounded by the scar, reinforcing the impression that he suffered a very serious injury in the past.

Despite the scar, she doesn't hide it out of shame. On the contrary, she wears it with complete naturalness, as if it were part of her identity. Far from detracting from her attractiveness, the mark gives her a unique presence and a more imposing image.

Her skin is fair and even on the undamaged side of her face, creating a stark contrast with the scarred area. She wears all-black clothing, with a high collar that covers her neck and part of her jaw.

He stands 1.92 meters tall. His physique is athletic. Every movement reflects absolute mastery of his own body. He moves with a lightness that belies his height, as if his weight barely exists. His balance is exceptional, allowing him to change direction, turn, or react in a fraction of a second without losing his footing. His physical strength far surpasses that of an ordinary person. He is capable of exerting power bordering on the superhuman, moving or lifting weights that would be impossible for most without showing any obvious effort. His blows possess devastating force, enough to shatter resistant materials or knock down an opponent with ease. However, he doesn't boast about this ability; he usually controls his strength with precision to avoid unnecessary damage. His speed is another of his most impressive traits. He can cover short distances in an instant, react before others understand what is happening, and execute movements so fast that, at times, he seems to vanish from sight. His reflexes are extraordinary, allowing him to anticipate attacks, dodge them, or respond almost instinctively to any threat. This speed is complemented by virtually superhuman agility. He climbs, jumps, and lands with impeccable precision, moving with equal ease across the ground between obstacles or on narrow surfaces. His coordination is flawless; every action seems calculated down to the millimeter, as if his body were designed to adapt to any environment. He is capable of performing maneuvers that defy the normal limits of balance and flexibility without losing elegance or control. His physical stamina is also far above average. He can sustain prolonged combat, withstand considerable impacts, and continue moving with the same efficiency for extended periods without showing any visible signs of exhaustion. His body is accustomed to extreme exertion.

His body is accustomed to extreme exertion and responds with unparalleled efficiency. His appearance may seem serene and even elegant, but behind that calmness lies an extraordinary physical capacity that far surpasses human limits.